These individual Beef Wellingtons are made with ground beef instead of the traditional beef tenderloin, making them a delicious, yet cost effective, way to serve a special meal to your family and friends. The ground beef is seasoned well, topped with duxelles (a mixture of chopped mushrooms, shallots, garlic, and thyme), neatly folded into thin slices of prosciutto, then wrapped in prepared puff pastry to create beautiful little packages, which are bursting with big flavour.
MAKES 8 Servings - PREP TIME 45 min - COOK TIME 50 min - TOTAL TIME 1 hr 35 min
Duxelles
1 lb (500 g) cremini mushrooms
2 shallots, chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped
3 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves removed, stems discarded
3 tbsp (45 mL) unsalted butter
1 tbsp (15 mL) Marsala wine
⅛ tsp (0.5 mL) EACH salt and fresh ground pepper
Beef Patties
2 eggs
1 tbsp (15 mL) Dijon mustard
2 tsp (10 mL) prepared horseradish
1 tsp (5 mL) Worcestershire sauce
½ tsp (2 mL) EACH salt, fresh ground pepper, onion powder and garlic powder
⅓ cup (75 mL) panko bread crumbs
2 lb (1 kg) Lean Ground Beef
For Assembly
2 sheets cold puff pastry (about 1 lb/500 g), thawed if frozen,
All-purpose flour
16 thin slices prosciutto (about 8 oz/ 250 grams)
2 eggs
Marsala Mushroom Sauce (optional)
3 tbsp (45 mL) unsalted butter
8 oz (250 g) cremini mushrooms, sliced
1 tbsp (15 mL) all-purpose flour
1 tbsp (15 mL) all-purpose flour
1½ cups (375 mL) beef broth
3 small sprigs fresh thyme
1. Duxelles: Combine mushrooms, shallots, garlic and thyme in a food processor; pulse until finely chopped.
2. Heat a large sauté pan over medium heat; add butter and swirl until melted. Add the mushroom mixture, Marsala, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring often, for 10 to 12 minutes or until most of the liquid has evaporated. Set aside to cool.
3. Once cooled, use a cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer to drain the mushroom mixture of any remaining liquid; discard liquid. Separate mushroom mixture into 8 equal portions and set aside until ready to assemble.
4. Beef Patties: Beat eggs, Dijon mustard, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, onion powder and garlic powder with a fork in a large bowl. Mix in bread crumbs, then ground beef with the fork until thoroughly combined (careful not to over-mix). Scoop beef using a ½-cup (125 mL) measuring cup and form into 8 equal beef patties, about 1¼ inches (3 cm) thick. Place on a plate.
5. To Assemble: Roll out one sheet of the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface to a 12-inch (30 cm) square, then cut into 4 equal squares.
6. Lay 2 pieces of prosciutto onto each square of puff pastry, overlapping as necessary (the prosciutto will extend beyond the pastry square). Place one beef patty on top of the prosciutto;. place one portion of the mushroom mixture on top of each beef patty and flatten out into an even layer. Flip the beef patty over so the mushroom mixture is sitting on the prosciutto. Fold the prosciutto slices over the beef to completely wrap the patty. Flip the bundle over, so the prosciutto ends are on the puff pastry.
7. Fold the puff pastry up and over the prosciutto-wrapped patty as though wrapping a package. Using a pastry brush or your finger, dampen the puff pastry at each edge where the pastry folds over itself to securely seal all edges. Place the individual packages seam-side up on a large parchment paper-lined baking sheet, spacing them apart. Repeat with the remaining puff pastry and filling.
8. Beat 2 tbsp (30 mL) water into the eggs in a small bowl to make an egg wash. Brush mixture over the tops and sides of each package. Pierce each Wellington with a sharp knife to create a ½-inch (1 cm) vent on top.
9. Bake in preheated to 400°F oven for about 40 to 45 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown and a digital instant-read thermometer inserted sideways into each patty reads 160°F (71°C). Transfer Wellingtons on baking sheet to a rack and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
10. Marsala Mushroom Sauce (if using): Melt butter over medium-high heat in a large sauté pan or skillet. Cook mushrooms and thyme, stirring, for 7 to 8 minutes or until starting to soften. Sprinkle with flour and cook, stirring for 1 minute. Add Marsala and cook, stirring, for 1 minute; add beef broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring often, for about 5 to 8 minutes until sauce is thickened. Serve alongside the Individual Ground Beef Wellingtons.
Tips
To make ahead, prepare the Duxelles Beef Patties and and wrap in prosciutto. Wrap well and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. You can assemble the puff pastry packages up to 2 hours in advance. Cover and refrigerate, then brush with egg wash just before baking.
In place of the Mushroom Marsala Sauce you can make your favourite beef gravy to accompany the Ground Beef Wellingtons.
For the original recipe, click here.